Mineola FD Chief Presented with "Hero" Citation

The Nassau County Legislature honored a CSEA employee Monday morning who saved two lives while off duty this past Father's Day. Following a visit to the gravesite of his father at Calverton cemetery in Wading River on June 20, Deputy Sheriff Joseph Pratt's wife Anne-Maire heard a noise involving a motorcycle.

Pratt then turned on his emergency lights, blocking the roadway and getting out to attend to the two cyclists. Pratt contacted EMS personnel while stabilizing the two accident victims until Ronkonkoma and Riverhead EMS personnel arrived at the scene. Pratt, who is also the first assistant chief of the Mineola Fire Department, respectfully declined to make a statement before the Legislature.

Legislative speaker Peter Schmitt, R-Massapequa, called Pratt a "hero" as he presented him with the citation.